NZ vs ENG: New Zealand Fast bowler, Matt Henry is set to return to the red-ball format for the second and final Test against England. Henry missed the opening Test due to an injury as New Zealand suffered a 267-run defeat against England. In the absence of Kyle Jamieson and Trent Boult, Henry will shoulder the bowling burden and aim to provide breakthroughs for the Kiwis with alongside skipper Tim Southee.
Matt Henry has been in exceptional form in the domestic Plunket Shield, where he is the leading wicket-taker this season with 23 wickets in just three matches. His return to the squad will definitely boost New Zealand’s bowling attack and help them square the series against England.
Henry last played against Pakistan in January
Opening up on his comeback Test at the Basin Reserve, which is expected to see a sell-out crowd, Henry stated, “Not ideal with the injury – torn knee and everything. So it has been a bit of rehab for the last few weeks. But it has been good; kind of one of those ones where you look forward to playing some cricket. No better place to do it than the Basin. Always sell-supported here in Wellington. The Basin always has a great crowd and to hear it sold out for the first three days is amazing, and playing against England… the style of cricket they’ve been playing is an exciting one to watch as well. It has been cool to watch them play in that first game, and I’m sure everyone has learnt a lot from that first game as well and look forward to taking it to them come Friday.”
SQUAD NEWS | Matt Henry will rejoin the squad in Wellington ahead of the second Test against England on Friday. Ish Sodhi & Jacob Duffy will return to their Major Associations ahead of the Plunket Shield matches this week 🏏 #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/x9t2F2qxLq
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 19, 2023
As a veteran bowler, Matt Henry has shown his prowess in all formats of the game, his ability to strike with the new ball in the longest format is particularly outstanding. In his 18 Test matches, Henry has picked up 55 wickets at an economy of 3.20.
Henry made his Test debut against England at Lord’s in 2015 and picked up six wickets across both. With his impressive record in the longest format, expectations will be high on Henry to replicate his domestic form and take the Kiwis to victory in the upcoming Test match against England.
Overall, Matt Henry’s return to the red-ball format is a much-needed boost for New Zealand’s bowling attack, and his skills with the new ball will be crucial in the second Test against England.
NZ vs ENG (New Zealand’s probable Playing 11):
Tom Latham, Matt Henry, Kane Williamson (C), Tim Southee, Devon Conway, Neil Wagner, Michael Bracewell, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (Wk), Kuggeleijn, Blair Tickner
Also, Read: PSL 2023: Wanindu Hasaranga pulls out of the championship to manage workload
